Cultural heritage

Novi Pazar has rich and diverse cultural heritage and it is a treasure of inestimable value. This multiethnic city is the place where oriental and western intervene, creating a unique style which made Novi Pazar recognazible. The diversity of cultural heritage is a source of spiritual wealth. Novi Pazar along with a number of sites in the city and on the outskirts of the medieval state of Old Ras was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.

Old Ras (medieval Serbian state), Sopoćani Monastery, Đurđevi stupovi Monastery (St. George Pillars) and Church of the Holly Apostles Peter and Paul – St. Peters Church)

In the vicinity of Novi Pazar there is Old Ras (remains of the medieval Serbian state) and monuments from the Middle age – fortresses, monasteries, churches and they were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979 – Old Ras and Sopoćani Monastery.

The most important monuments in this territorial entity are Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul and remains of the fortifications Ras and Gradina. Together with Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, Đurđevi stupovi Monastery and Sopoćani Monastery Old Ras represents the unique cultural evidence and monumental complex of architecture listed in 1979 among UNESCO heritage. The monuments in this territorial entity represent an authentic testimony about the oldest original shapes and artistic expression of Serbian people as well as the architecture perfection and art of painting.

The archeological records from ancient period show that this area was inhabited since the Stone Age (Naprelje finding), the Iron Age (Smolućka cave finding), the earliest Christian period (Novi Pazar finding, late ancient fortifications and middle age fortifications Jeleč and Ras). Old Ras was one of the first capitals of the Medieval Serbian state during the reign of Nemanjić dynasty.

Today, Novi Pazar is one of the largest cities in southwestern Serbia, and the main economic and cultural center of Bosniaks of Serbia and the historical region of Sandžak. This is a city of contrast where east, west, Christianity and Islam intervene.

The oldest of these monuments is Hamam, an old Turkish bath which was built in the 15th century as an endowment of Isa-bey Ishakovic, the founder of the City of Novi Pazar. It was originally built for the Turkish military which was gathered near Hamam. It is a rare example of symmetrical structure with the facilities for simultaneous bathing for men and women.